Affective responses to activities: a comparative study

The purpose of this study was to document variation in affective responses to different types of traditional occupational therapy activities. Each of 45 subjects (24 psychiatric inpatients and 21 matched control subjects) participated in a series of four activities: leather lacing, working with clay, filing, and exercycling. Immediately following each activity, each subject completed the Affective Self-Report Checklist designed to elicit affective responses. In addition, each of the activity sessions was professionally videotaped and later rated for affective responses by trained observers. The data analysis revealed no significant differences in affective responses to activities between groups. However, with the groups combined, significant differences were found in affective responses on 6 of the 15 scales of the checklist, with clay and filing the pair of activities that differed most. These findings are a necessary first step in the collection of baseline data regarding responses to activities.

Lipoprotein lipase in rat heart--II. Influence of apolipoproteins and nutritional factors on tri-, di- and monoacylglycerol lipase activities in post-heparin effluents

1. The in vitro effects of serum and apolipoproteins (apo), and the influence of the nutritional state of the animals were compared on triacylglycerol lipase (TAGL), diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) activities in post-heparin effluent from rat heart. 2. Serum and apoC-II stimulated DAGL and MAGL 3-fold less than TAGL, the activity that measures lipoprotein lipase (LPL). 3. The preexisting nutritional state of the heart, that strongly modulated LPL, did not influence DAGL and MAGL. 4. ApoA-I, apoC-I, apoC-III1 and apoC-III2 did not stimulate LPL and counteracted its stimulation by apoC-II; MAGL, and not DAGL, was inhibited by apoA-I and apoC-I, an effect reversed by apoC-II. 5. TAGL, DAGL and MAGL appeared to act as a single physiological unit, although differing in functional details; MAGL displayed the greatest dissimilarity.

Lipoprotein lipase in rat heart--I. Characterization of tri-, di- and monoacylglycerol lipase activities in post-heparin effluents

1. The lipolytic activities that sequentially hydrolyze tri-, di- and monoacylglycerol in rat post-heparin heart effluents were examined. 2. Properties of triacylglycerol lipase (TAGL) activity were typical of lipoprotein lipase. Diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) behaved similarly to TAGL, suggesting that both activities refer to the same catalytic entity. 3. Differences, particularly in thermal stability, between TAGL and DAGL activities on one hand, and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) activity on the other, may reflect different intrinsic molecular properties. 4. TAGL, DAGL and MAGL activities could not be separated by physical means and appeared to belong to a single unit at the same site on the capillary wall.

Lipoprotein lipase in rat heart--III. Effects of sex steroid hormones on tri-, di- and monoacylglycerol lipase activities in post-heparin effluents

The in vivo administration of ethinylestradiol to female rats causes dose-dependent decreases in tri-, di- and monoacylglycerol lipase activities in post-heparin heart effluents; monoacylglycerol lipase is less sensitive to estrogen than the other two.

Altered acylation of erythrocyte phospholipids in alcoholism

The composition and metabolism of erythrocyte lipids were studied in 10 chronic alcoholic patients within 48 hr after discontinuation of alcohol intake and in 10 nonalcoholic control subjects. Chronic alcoholism produced no change in contents of cholesterol, total phospholipids, and proportions of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in erythrocyte phospholipids. The mean values of the rates of acylation of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine with oleic acid were increased respectively by 59% (p less than 0.001) and 38% (p less than 0.05) as compared with the controls. There was no correlation between acylation rates and mean cellular volumes. Increases in acylation rates normalized over several weeks after alcohol withdrawal and were not related to a direct effect of alcohol on the intact erythrocyte, suggesting that these alterations result from ethanol-induced changes in the membrane during erythrocyte formation. The increased rates of acylation might modify the remodeling of the lipid matrix and thereby the membrane function.

[Assay of serum elastase 1 in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: diagnostic value, compared and combined study with serum CEA and CA 19-9]

Serum elastase 1, CEA and, CA 19-9 titers were determined by radioimmunoassay in 113 patients with benign non pancreatic digestive disease, 88 patients with non pancreatic carcinoma, 25 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 40 patients with pancreatic carcinoma (of whom 34 were classified according to Fortner's staging classification), respectively: a) to evaluate the diagnostic value of elastase in pancreatic carcinoma, b) to compare and to study the value of its association with CEA and CA 19-9 for earlier detection of this type of cancer. The specificity of serum elastase (greater than 500 ng/dl) was greater than that of CA 19-9 (greater than 37 U/ml), (93.3 p. 100 vs 64.6 p. 100, p less than 0.01), but its sensitivity was significantly lower than that of CA 19-9 (27.5 p. 100 vs 82.5 p. 100; p less than 0.001). The sensitivity of CA 19-9 (greater than 37 U/ml) and/or elastase (greater than 500 ng/dl) was 85.2 p. 100 (greater, but not significantly, than CA 19-9 alone) and 91.6 p. 100 in Fortner stage I or II tumors (greater, but not significantly, than Fortner stage III tumors which were at 83.6 p. 100). The specificity of the combined test was 62 p. 100, lower (but not significantly) than CA 19-9 alone. As serum CEA (greater than 5 ng/ml) alone and in association with CA 19-9 was disappointing, it might be replaced by the elastase assay. The combined CA 19-9-elastase assay coupled with morphologic investigations could represent an attractive approach for earlier detection of this cancer.

Decreased acylation of phosphatidylcholine in diabetic rat erythrocytes

We investigated the effects of streptozocin-induced diabetes on composition and metabolism of rat erythrocyte lipids. Diabetes produced no change in contents of cholesterol, total phospholipids, and proportions of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in phospholipids. The acylation of total phospholipids with palmitic, oleic, or arachidonic acids was decreased (P less than .01) in intact erythrocytes from diabetic versus control animals. This anomaly was underlaid by a decrease (P less than .01) in acylation of phosphatidylcholine, whereas phosphatidylethanolamine was unaffected. The impaired acylation of phosphatidylcholine was unchanged in vitro by insulin or coenzyme A but was restored to control values by ATP and by insulin treatment of the diabetic rats. We conclude that diabetes specifically alters the acylation of at least phosphatidylcholine in rat erythrocyte, an effect that might modify the remodeling of erythrocyte phospholipids and thereby the membrane function.

Lipolytic activities of freshly isolated rat liver parenchymal cells

By using a specific collagenase preparation preserving lipolytic enzymes, we could isolate intact rat liver cells with monoester lipase (MEL) and, for the first time, substantial amounts of endogenous neutral triester lipase (TEL) activities assayable as cell-bound enzymes. TEL and MEL activities were found exclusively in parenchymal cells. Virtually all TEL was located on plasma membrane from which it was rapidly released at 37 degrees C in the absence of any additive. MEL was distributed almost equally inside the cell and in the membrane, to which it was firmly attached. Infusion of heparin to the whole animal before liver exposure decreased by 80% the TEL content of parenchymal cells (a property typical of hepatic lipase) whilst MEL was unchanged. These results question the concept that heparin-releasable hepatic lipase acts at the surface of endothelial liver cells and further suggest that TEL and MEL refer to distinct catalytic entities.

[Determination of the carcinoembryonic antigen and endoscopic sphincterectomy in papillomatosis of the bile ducts]

Two new cases of multiple biliary papillomatosis are reported. In these 2 cases, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (CRE) was performed; the roentgen findings are described; the mucinous aspect of the bile, the important levels of biliary carcinoembryonic antigen and the intraductal biopsies after endoscopic sphincterotomy (E.S.) furnished precious aid for diagnosis; one E.S. was performed in the two cases allowing satisfactory drainage biliary; in one case, surgery and chemotherapy were associated; based on these two cases and 26 others of literature, management of the disease is discussed.

Nutritional dependence of the effect of estrogen on fat cell lipoprotein lipase

We investigated the effects of ethynylestradiol (EE) at low dose (1.2 micrograms/day) injected s.c. for 10 days on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in fat cells of female rats fed a standard diet (5% lipid, 49.5% glucid, 23.5% protein) as a function of the nutritional state. EE caused a 150% increase in LPL activity in the fed state, and a 65% decrease in the fasting state, resulting in a large increment in the physiological feeding-fasting difference. Feeding the rats a diet supplemented with 20% lard reversed the estrogen-dependent LPL increase in the fed state. Under all experimental conditions, EE caused a depletion of fat stores and an increase in plasma levels of triacyglycerol.

[Mixed carcinoid tumor-adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Review of the literature, apropos of a case]

We report a case of mixed tumor of the stomach with a double histological population: carcinoid and adenocarcinoma. The carcinoid component presented an usual morphological pattern with "atypical" elements, and without argyrophilic cells; the carcinoid cells were exclusively marked by an anti-serotonin serum. The other component was a poorly differentiated carcinoma, with muco secretion, which was not marked by and anti-carcino-embryonic antigen serum. The limit between the two components was sharp. The association of mucin in the carcinoma and serotonin in the carcinoid component was an argument in favour of the diagnosis of mixed tumor carcinoid-adenocarcinoma (composite tumor) of the stomach. The evolution after operation leaded to a local recurrence and to the death 10 months later, in spite of chemotherapy. The existence of composite tumors raises nosological, histogenetical and diagnostic problems, which are discussed in this work. The prognosis of these tumors is unknown and therapeutic possibilities seem to be scanty.

In vivo insulin effect on ATPase activities in erythrocyte membrane from insulin-dependent diabetics

Na+-K+-dependent ouabain-sensitive ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase have been assayed in the erythrocyte membranes of control subjects and in uncontrolled type I (insulin-dependent) diabetics. A decrease in Na+-K+-ATPase activity was observed in the patients that was significantly correlated with glycemia. The Mg2+-ATPase was increased moderately, and no correlation with glycemia was found. To study the in vivo effect of insulin, ATPase activities were measured in uncontrolled diabetics before and after a 24-h continuous insulin perfusion administered by means of an artificial pancreas. ATPase activities were corrected after normalization of glycemia. It therefore seems that glycemia and/or insulinemia are involved in the regulation of erythrocyte Na+-K+ ouabain-sensitive ATPase and to a lesser extent in that of Mg2+-dependent ATPase.

[Obstruction of the extrahepatic bile ducts by tumor debris and/or clots in primary cancer of the liver. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Apropos of 9 personal cases and review of the literature]

The onset of jaundice in patients with primary liver cancer is sometimes caused by intra ductal biliary system tumor casts, free floating debris or hemobilia. The diagnosis of this complication is now possible by E.R.C.P. or P.T.C. We report 9 cases of unrecognized primary liver tumor revealed by intra biliary system migration of tumor casts or free floating debris. In three patients the diagnosis was operative, but for the last six cases the E.R.C.P. data in addition with U.S., C.A.T. Scan and/or hepatic angiography were helpful in determining the nature of the hepatic and biliary changes, the operability (size, location, extent). A curative surgery was not indicated in our 8 operated patients: liver resection and biliary decompression. With the palliative procedures, bilio enteric by pass (2 cases) T tube (1 case) trans hepatic uni or bilateral tubes. The survey was not longer than 11 months. Three patients died in post operative course. Only 56 patients among 117 observations of the literature have been operated: 10 liver resections including the main hepatic junction in two cases were performed with one hospital death, two patients were alive over 2 years with recurrence and three patients were disease free with a follow up less than one year. The operative mortality with palliative procedures was 34.4%; the one-two years survival was 23%; the two longest survivors lived 41 and 61 months.

Lipases operative at the fat cell surface: attempt at an integrated approach

Extracellular acylglycerols are hydrolysed by lipases active at the surface of intact fat cells isolated from rat or human adipose tissue. During short-term incubation, rat fat cells hydrolyse di-[3H]oleyl-[14C]glycerol at a rate of 70 +/- 7.7 mU/10(6) cells (mean +/- S.E.) versus 440 +/- 62 mU/10(6) cells for the hydrolysis of mono-[3H]oleylglycerol; these relatively high lipolytic potencies may serve, among other functions, to counteract the cytolytic effect of both esters. Reaction rates with both substrates are unchanged by addition of various apolipoproteins C and by the nutritional state of the animals. Fat cells incorporate 15-20 per cent of the total [3H]-oleic chains liberated by hydrolysis, with no correlation between uptake and hydrolysis rates. [3H]-oleic chains in cell lipids are found mainly as diacylglycerol (15 per cent) and triacylglycerol (80 per cent). Both lipolytic processes differ from the hydrolysis of trioleylglycerol by cell-bound lipoprotein lipase, which occurs at lower rates (6.5 +/- 0.6 mU/10(6) cells) and depends on apolipoprotein C-II and nutritional state of the animals. The results support the accepted view that lipoprotein lipase and monoacylglycerol lipase are distinct enzymes. Differences between lipoprotein lipase and diacylglycerol lipase activities raise the possibility of different catalytic entities. In conclusion, isolated fat cells in suspension hydrolyse and incorporate lipids. This model should approximate physiological conditions more closely than the use of lipases in the free state.

Increased monoester lipase activity of red blood cells in alcoholism

Monoester lipase activity was assayed by a radiochemical assay in the red blood cells (RBC) from 50 chronic alcoholic patients within 48 hr after discontinuation of chronic alcohol intake and from 40 nonalcoholic control subjects. The mean value of lipase activity was increased to 1213 +/- 229 milliunits/10(12) RBC in the alcoholics as compared with a value of 997 +/- 120 milliunits/10(12) RBC in the controls (p less than 0.001). The lipase increase was associated with increased values of the mean cellular volume of RBC. A subgroup (64%) of 32 alcoholic subjects with macrocytosis (mean cellular volume greater than 96 femtoliters) showed the highest mean lipase activity (1276 +/- 224 milliunits/10(12) RBC) as compared with a value of 1101 +/- 196 milliunits/10(12) RBC in the normocytic alcoholic subgroup (p less than 0.05). This latter subgroup had a mean value higher (p less than 0.05) than that in the control group. The relationship between values of mean cellular volume and lipase activity was not of predictive value in individual cases. The enzymatic increase was not related to a direct effect of alcohol on the intact RBC. It is postulated that this alteration might result from changes in the chemical and/or physical state of the plasma membrane induced by ethanol during RBC formation. In any event, the increased lipolytic activity of RBC represents a new biological characteristic of alcoholic subjects. Its determination might represent a noninvasive way of evaluating the influence of alcohol on a tissue parameter.

Ethynylestradiol alters lipid composition and phosphatidylethanolamine metabolism in red blood cells

Treatment of female rats with ethinylestradiol at a dose of 60 micrograms/rat, daily for 21 days, produced marked changes in red blood cell lipids. Cholesterol was decreased by 22% and total phospholipids were increased by 13%, resulting in a 31% decrease in the cholesterol to phospholipid ratio. The mass distribution of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine relative to total phospholipids was unchanged. Whereas control red cells incorporated preferentially fatty acids in phosphatidylcholine, ethinylestradiol stimulated their incorporation specifically in phosphatidylethanolamine, where increases occurred with palmitic acid (+75%), oleic acid (+68%) and arachidonic acid (+31%). Incorporation in phosphatidylcholine was unaffected with any of the 3 fatty acids. The stimulation of fatty acid incorporation in phosphatidylethanolamine is likely to reflect an estrogen-dependent increase in turnover rate of fatty acids in this phospholipid. Such alterations in lipid composition and fatty acid incorporation in red cell phospholipids may have significant effects on membrane function.

Effects of 2-fluoroestradiol on lipid metabolism in the ovariectomized rat

Biological activities of estrogen molecules are altered by fluorination of ring A, and the resulting impairment to form catechols. 2-fluoroestradiol (2-F-E2) has been found to be devoid of carcinogenic action despite its high estrogenic potency; its metabolic effects are so far unknown. This study was designed to investigate the effects of 2-F-E2 on lipid metabolism, as compared to those of estradiol-17 beta(E2). Ovariectomized rats received E2 or 2-F-E2 by s.c. injection at a dose of 60 micrograms for three consecutive days. Parameters measured were weights of parametrial fat depots, fat cell volumes, levels of triacylglycerol and acylcholesterol in plasma, and enzymatic responses to the estrogens in isolated parametrial fat cells as evaluated in terms of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activities. 2-F-E2 and E2 were found to produce comparable decreases in fat depots, cell volumes and plasma levels of acylcholesterol whereas plasma triacylglycerol was unchanged. Both estrogens decreased LPL, and increased HSL activities to the same extent. Thus, 2-F-E and E2 exhibited comparable effects on lipid metabolism. These effects appeared to depend mainly on the estrogenic potency of these molecules, and to be distinct from their carcinogenic action. Despite its high estrogenic potency, 2-F-E2 was found to be slightly less estrogenic than E2.

Stimulation of brain lipase activity by polyamines. Comparison with the effect of ACTH

Polyamines, as well as ACTH, strongly stimulate at pH 5.75 triacylglycerol lipase (TAGL) activity from rat brain. Whether the activating potency is expressed in terms of molar concentration or amount of positive charges, polyarginine, polylysine, spermine and spermidine exhibit, in this order, decreasing potencies. By contrast to other lipases, heparin (25 micrograms/ml) inhibits brain TAGL. Polyarginine, polylysine and spermine reverse the heparin-dependent inhibition and further stimulate TAGL activity above basal values; spermidine is much less potent. In the presence of heparin, ACTH has the greatest stimulating effect, being 1.6-fold and 3.3-fold more potent than polyarginine and polylysine, respectively. Taken together, the data suggest that polybasic effectors modify the interaction of TAGL with its substrate, resulting in increased levels of TAGL activity. In the presence of heparin, the enzyme charge density is mandatory for determining the stimulation process. Such cationic interactions appear to be specific of brain TAGL and should be considered in assessing any direct neuro-hormonal role to ACTH or physiological polyamines in brain.

Use of specific collagenases for the isolation of rat liver cells with preserved lipase activities

The heparin-releasable neutral lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) from rat liver is inactivated by the common preparations of collagenases (EC 3.4.24.3) used for the isolation of liver cells. We show that two collagenases purified from Clostridium histolyticum allow both the complete preservation of this lipolytic activity and a good viability of liver cells isolated by the usual perfusion protocol.

Increased monoester lipase activity in red blood cells during hyperthyroidism

Human red blood cells (RBC) contain a monoester lipase (MEL) activity which is tightly associated with the cell membrane and has its active site externally oriented, as inferred from the ability of the intact cell to hydrolyse an exogenously added lipid substrate. Membrane-bound MEL activity was measured by a radiochemical assay in intact RBC from 29 untreated hyperthyroid patients. The mean (+/- S.D.) MEL level was higher (P less than 0.01) in these patients (1220 +/- 212 mu./10(12) RBC) than in the control group (1010 +/- 120 mu./10(12) RBC). There was no difference between men and women. The increase in MEL values was associated with significantly (P less than 0.001) decreased values of mean cellular volume and mean cellular haemoglobin content. A continued study of 13 patients, who became euthyroid with treatment, showed a normalization of the MEL values in RBC. The increased lipolytic potency of RBC represents a new characteristic of hyperthyroid patients. Further exploration of the possible diagnostic or prognostic implications of this enzymatic change seems warranted.

Progesterone and cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulate in vivo the level of phosphorylation of two proteins (Mr 20,000 and Mr 32,000) in Xenopus oocytes

The [32P]phosphoproteins and [35S]thiophosphoproteins were analyzed by electrophoresis and autoradiography after microinjection of [gamma-32P]ATP or of [35S]ATP-gamma-S into living Xenopus oocytes. The level of 32P incorporation into a 20-kDA protein was decreased following progesterone treatment (between 1 and 2 hr). This 20-kDa protein was partially thiophosphorylated in vivo by [35S]ATP-gamma-S. Furthermore it was found that this phosphoprotein was partially purified by TCA (1%) extraction and heat treatment. Microinjection of the C-subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (0.6 to 1.2 pmole) inhibited maturation and provoked an increase in the level of phosphorylation of the 20-kDa protein and of a 32-kDa protein, indicating that both proteins were in vivo substrates (directly or indirectly) for cAMP-dependent protein kinase. When inhibitor-1 of protein phosphatase-1 was microinjected (5 to 10 pmole per oocyte) meiotic maturation was inhibited and the level of phosphorylation of the 32-kDa protein was increased; the same result was obtained following ATP-gamma-S (1 mM) microinjection. Altogether these results suggest that a 20-kDa phosphoprotein, whose level of phosphorylation is decreased by progesterone, could be involved in the regulation of maturation by lowering the level phosphorylation of a 32-kDa phosphoprotein. An attractive hypothesis would be that the 20-kDa phosphoprotein is an inhibitor of protein phosphatase-1.